ALAMEDA — Rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell experienced a few more firsts Sunday in his continued maturation toward succeeding Josh McCown as the Raiders' starting quarterback next season. He passed for his first touchdown, threw his first interception (three overall), was sacked for the first time (twice overall), and played in a game away from the Coliseum for the first time.

His next first comes Sunday against the San Diego Chargers in both teams' regular-season finale at the Coliseum, when Russell is slated to start. His first three appearances came in relief of McCown.

Russell struggled, for the most part, against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. So much so that coach Lane Kiffin said he didn't know where to begin with the laundry list of shortcomings.

"Ball-handling in the run game, footwork in the passinggame, decision-making, timing, accuracy, you name it, it was out there on film (Sunday)," Kiffin said Monday. "So he's got a long ways to go."

Perhaps most troubling, Kiffin said, was Russell's decision-making. Were it not for dropped balls, Russell should have had five interceptions, according to Kiffin.

"I haven't been around decision-making like that before, as far as just throwing the ball up across the field like he did a number of times," Kiffin said. "I'm sure that didn't help his confidence. Your first time playing an extended amount of time like that, to not have success can't help."

However, his teammates are in agreement that Russell needs all the playing time he can get between now and next season. "I wish they'd just give him the reins and let him go," defensive tackle Warren Sapp said. "I mean, we are not in the playoffs or anything like that. Just go put him in there to get his licks. Let him go out there and learn trial by fire right now.

"It's about that time to let him go, let us see what he's got. Watching him work in practice every day, he has everything it takes to be an NFL quarterback. But there is nothing that is going to teach him this game except the game. Let's just let him play; that's my decision. Just let him play, let him go. Let's see what he does."

Sapp and others received an extensive look against Jacksonville. Kiffin is committed to seeing how Russell comports himself in yet another difficult setting, this time against the AFC West champion Chargers.

It figures to be a stern test, at that. The Chargers are in contention for the No.3 seed in the AFC playoffs, which carries huge significance. The No.3 seed would avoid the red-hot Jaguars in the first round and get the undefeated New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, assuming both teams made it that far.

McCown is on board with Kiffin's decision to play Russell as much as possible the rest of the way.

"I can understand that," McCown said. "If you're not playing for the playoffs this year, you play for the playoffs next year. ... Obviously, they selected that guy very high (No.1 overall), and they have got to get him in there. Assuming he's the starter, you can't roll into next year and have him not played in games. You'd hate for that to happen.

"You have to play him at some point. Would you rather him make those mistakes next year when you have a clean slate and are starting over, or would you rather him make the mistakes now when you're out of it?"

Kiffin said Sunday that he wanted Russell to make the mistakes he made against the Jaguars in exhibition games. However, Russell missed all of training camp and all four of the Raiders exhibition games because of an impasse in contract negotiations.

He signed Sept.12 and spent most of the season catching up to McCown and Daunte Culpepper in terms of learning Kiffin's offense. Russell played for the first time Dec.2, in Oakland's 12th game.

"It's what we wanted to get rid of in the preseason, and we didn't have a preseason," Kiffin said Sunday. "We wanted him to experience those things, the speed of the game and those decisions to make. And the guy hasn't played for a year. So, unfortunately, (Sunday), many of those classic rookie mistakes were made."

Oh ****, don't everyone forget to be unimpressed. Initially I figured this young qb was in the right draft at the right time, and really didn't deserve a contract anywhere near what he signed, but the kid really does have a cannon and mobility. Not that he has anyone to throw to or a defense aside from Burgess. (who I would welcome wholeheartedly as a fa if possible) I accidently watched the entire oakland jax game this past weekend and almost found myself rooting for the turds. Hell I even might have felt bad for them at one time, could have just been the 5150 though. Anyways, look for the rook to stumble in his first starting action, and the 3rd seed in the bag.

The Raiders are idiots for leaving Russell in the game against Jax especially after his second INT (he threw three) and that game had to be as rough as it gets for a rookie QB. His teammates were pissed and you could see it on the sidelines.

The Raiders are idiots for leaving Russell in the game against Jax especially after his second INT (he threw three) and that game had to be as rough as it gets for a rookie QB. His teammates were pissed and you could see it on the sidelines.

Let's just handle our business and get ready for January.

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Russell is a really big target. The way the Chargers have been mixing up blitzes and disguising coverages this young QB is going to have a bad day at black rock. He will be running for his life and if he puts the ball up Cro will have all pig skin he can eat. He will be happy to have the season behind him.

Charlie and MT/sproles can EASILY beat the raiders and we can rest Rivers and LT and let them be 100% for the playoffs

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Not a bad idea, dude. Once that game is put away, he can't do any worse than Volek has done already. If we're up on the Raiduhs by 20 or so at the half, why, we can even find out what Olivea has at guard for a few plays. Whitehurst has to get his feet wet sooner or later.

Will someone clarify this for me... IF Rivers starts and Volek takes over, Whitehurst can come in as the 3rd QB, BUT neither Rivers or Volek can come back in unless Whitehurst is injured.

Correct?

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This was what ive found on the topic

rules stipulate that if the "third quarterback" enters the game before the fourth quarter, the team's other two designated quarterbacks may not enter or re-enter the game. All of the quarterbacks may play if the inactive third quarterback initially enters the game in the fourth quarter or overtime period.

Um, that's the thing... The 3rd QB is the emergency QB. I've heard that if you use the 3rd QB, you can no longer sub the 1st and 2nd stringers unless there's an injury... but I haven't seen this in writing.

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Geez, I thought you could shuffle them if they were all on the active rotster. Most teams don't carry three active, but I thought you could.